In the northern French city of Roubaix, known for the classic Paris-Roubaix cycling race, an extensive project is planned to upgrade the area around the historic Vélodrome. As the President of Métropole Lille, Damien Castelain, announced at the Mipim property fair in Cannes last week, almost 40 million euros are to be invested in a new sports complex and a museum for the classic Paris-Roubaix cycling event. "Our shared desire with the mayor of Roubaix is to create a real museum dedicated to the legendary Paris-Roubaix cycling race in order to revitalise the Vélodrome - and not just once a year," Castelain is quoted as saying on the newspaper's website. La Voix du Nord quoted. The mayor of Roubaix, Guillaume Delbar, published on X a video showing a spectacular design of the future site of the "Parc des Sports" with museum.
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The project is to be realised on an area of 15 hectares around the existing Vélodrome. In addition to the museum, offices, a hotel and training facilities for professionals and amateurs are planned.
Long-standing wish in Roubaix becomes reality
For cycling enthusiasts and historians, the project fulfils a long-held wish. Pascal Sergent, President of the association "Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix", welcomes the plans: "This project, which has been on the back burner for 40 years, is a necessity," he is quoted as saying by France Info quoted. Sergent had proposed the idea of a museum to various mayors over the years.
Roubaix's current mayor Guillaume Delbar welcomes the project and describes the new Parc des Sports "as a place of life open to all, with modern and efficient infrastructures with hotels and restaurants", which will "simultaneously enhance our cultural heritage". According to the tender, investments of around 40 million euros are expected.
Completion planned for 2029
The museum is scheduled for completion in 2029. Until then, Paris-Roubaix will remain the annual highlight of cycling in the region. The next edition of the classic will take place on 13 April 2025, one day after the Paris-Roubaix Femmes women's race.
